What's the proper way to wire 2 outlets where their bottoms are switched? I have 12-2 power in to the first outlet. Here I am debating which wire to use, 12-2 or 12-3 becuase the next box is a switch. After the switch, next is the second outlet. The second outlet is the end of the circuit. Is it possible to ommit the 12-3 wire and go with 12-2 from the switch to the second outlet?
Thanks for your help.

If you have 12/2 to the first outlet, then its "bottom outlet" is NOT switched. You only need 12/2 to the switch, but IF you want to ONLY switch the bottom half of the second outlet, you WILL need a 12/3 wire, but this is the kind of installation which is so "elementary" that if you even had to ask the question, it might NOT be a good DIY project for you.

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Another thing to consider is box fill. It is based on the size and number of wires entering the box plus the volume taken by the device. Many single-gang boxes are too small to do a a switched+hot setup like this.

Thank you all. I forgot to mention, I could not find a better picture/diagram, so I found one with 14-2, 14-3 wiring. But in my case, I will be using 12-2 & 12-3. In terms of box fill, the first and the third box (outlet boxes) allow to have 8 conductors in each. The switch will be located in a 3 gang box with some other 2 switches (14-2 wiring) and the two other switches will be on its own supply.

Thank you all. I forgot to mention, I could not find a better picture/diagram, so I found one with 14-2, 14-3 wiring. But in my case, I will be using 12-2 & 12-3. In terms of box fill, the first and the third box (outlet boxes) allow to have 8 conductors in each. The switch will be located in a 3 gang box with some other 2 switches (14-2 wiring) and the two other switches will be on its own supply.

Thanks Bluebinky. The two single gang boxes that I am using are 20 cubic, so slightly more than going with 18 cubic boxes. I may go with a 4-square box + mud ring for at least the first box. In terms of the neutrals, do you mean not to tie the neutrals from the two outlets in the 3 gang box (center box) with the other two switches that will be running on a different circuit? If that's what you are saying, my ansear is, the neutrals will not be tied together.
Thanks.